Emergency Preparedness for Floods

Floods are some of the most costly and widespread natural disasters that occur in the US. It’s estimated flooding causes $6 billion in damage ever year and 140 deaths. Floods can occur almost anywhere, often occurring during (and after) other natural disasters or extreme weather events like blizzards, hurricanes and heavy rain.

Depending on where you live, your home may be more susceptible to flooding, especially if you live near the coast line or in a low lying area.

Regardless of where you live, it’s important your emergency preparedness plan accounts for the possibility of flooding.

As with every emergency, you’ll want to have an emergency kit and plan already in place. You can learn more about what to include from our in-dept article on home emergency kit preparation. You should also have an emergency plan in place. FEMA’s web site has a lot of good information to help you create your family emergency plan.

5 Tips To Help You Prepare For Floods:

1. Know Your Risk

You can check your home, work or anywhere else you frequent for flood risk at FloodSmart.gov

2. Get Covered

Make sure your homeowner’s insurance will cover your home, property and belongings from flood damage. If it doesn’t, look to supplemental coverage.

3. Know Your Routes

Learn your evacuation routes before the emergency. Panicked travelers are frequent during an emergency, so knowing your planned route ahead of time will help you remain calm.

4. Raise Things Up

If you live in a high-risk area, you may want to have a licensed electrician raise your electric switches and sockets, etc. at least 12 inches above the projected flood level for your home.

5. Pump it Up

Homeowners living in areas with high flood risk often install sump pumps with back-up power.